Karen Pryor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Karen Pryor
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| Born |
Karen Liane Wylie
May 14, 1932 New York City, U.S.
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| Died | January 4, 2025 (aged 92) |
| Occupation | Author |
| Spouse(s) |
Taylor "Tap" Pryor
(m. 1954; div. 1975)Jon Lindbergh
(m. 1983; div. 1997) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Philip Wylie (father) |
| Relatives | Charles Lindbergh (father-in-law) Anne Morrow Lindbergh (mother-in-law) |
Karen Liane Pryor (born May 14, 1932, died January 4, 2025) was an American author and scientist. She was an expert in understanding how animals learn and how to train them. Karen Pryor is famous for creating and promoting a special way of training animals called clicker training. She also worked for the U.S. government as a commissioner for marine mammals, helping protect animals like dolphins and whales.
Contents
About Karen Pryor
Karen Pryor was born in New York City, U.S. Her father was a well-known author named Philip Wylie. Her mother, Sally Ondeck Wylie, was an antiques dealer.
Family Life
Karen Pryor was married twice. Her first husband was Tap Pryor. They were married from 1954 until 1975 and had three children: Ted, Michael, and Gale. Later, she married Jon Lindbergh in 1983. Jon was the son of the famous aviator Charles Lindbergh and writer Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Karen and Jon divorced in 1997.
Her Work with Animals
Karen Pryor became a leading expert in how animals learn. She studied how to train animals using positive reinforcement. This means rewarding good behavior instead of punishing bad behavior.
Clicker Training
One of her most important contributions was developing and popularizing clicker training. This method uses a small device that makes a "click" sound. The click tells an animal exactly when it has done something right. This helps the animal understand what behavior earns a reward. Clicker training is now used all over the world to train many different animals. It is used for pets like dogs and cats, and also for wild animals in zoos and aquariums.
Karen Pryor Academy
In 2007, Karen Pryor started the Karen Pryor Academy. This academy offers special programs to teach people how to become animal trainers. It helps them learn the best ways to train animals using positive, science-based methods.
Later Life
Karen Pryor passed away on January 4, 2025. She was 92 years old and died in Santa Clarita, California. Her work continues to influence animal training and understanding animal behavior today.
See also
In Spanish: Karen Pryor para niños
